The Challenge:

Though María was the deadliest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico, it won’t be the last to make its presence felt in the island. To be better prepared for future hurricane seasons, comprehensive and updated emergency plans need to be in place.

How is Hispanic Federation Helping?

Hispanic Federation (HF) has helped to ensure families across the island had immediate access to water, food, and emergency supplies. Additionally, HF has supplied emergency grants to organizations and individuals facing severe challenges that could be substantially ameliorated with quick-cash infusions assistance and grants to build the capacity of organizations to respond to future disasters.

Who Are We Helping?

Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust (Vieques)

Funds will be used to purchase satellite communications equipment and technology to develop an emergency coordination center. Groups across the island will be trained in emergency preparedness and be offered support with organizational capacity building.

Through an island-wide partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, Operation Blessing, and AFSCME, HF contributed to the purchase and distribution of over 65,000 individual and institutional filter systems with the help of local organizations and volunteer brigades. These filters provided clean and safe water to thousands of families and schools on the island.

In the three months immediately following the hurricane, HF purchased over 6 million pounds of water and healthy food options direct from local island distributors and delivered to all 78 municipalities.

HF purchased and shipped more than 100,000 solar lamps, 7,000 mosquito nets, and 3,000 tarps which were distributed to communities in need by local brigades coordinated through our network of community-based organizations and other partners. Additionally, we received, shipped, and facilitated the distribution of thousands of pounds of donated goods from across the U.S.

In the three months immediately following the hurricane, HF purchased over 7.4 million pounds of water and healthy food options direct from local island distributors and delivered to all 78 municipalities.